Take Interest In Donnelly Park

August 11, 1985

MUCH HAS been said and written about Mount Dora's Donnelly Park recently. It is really tremendous that so much interest is being shown in this valuable asset to our city.

The conversion of Donnelly Park property to provide parking spaces along Baker Street is justified only if this would encourage more people to use the park. For this to happen the park should be improved considerably. Donnelly Park is the focal point of our city and can enhance the downtown area as John Phillip Donnelly intended when he gave the land in honor of his wife, Annie.

The city should appropriate money to improve the park's landscaping and equipment and to keep it up much better than in the past.

Many of the ideas suggested by citizens and merchants are good, and some have been considered by the park board. With this renewed interest, perhaps some civic groups, merchants or individuals would like to take some projects own to develop. This is how we obtained the wooden outdoor stage: The park board worked with the Mount Dora Community Trust, which provided the money to build and landscape that structure.

Other projects included the tree memorials and the rose garden. The women's garden clubs donate money for the memorials. The men's garden club takes care of the rose garden.

The shuffleboard club helps maintain its courts and works with the park commission to beautify this area, which is perhaps the most used section of the park.

The Mount Dora Community Trust has been particularly supportive, as has the chamber of commerce. Perhaps others will step forward.

We are a beautiful and wholesome town. Let's be proud of our city, its government, downtown merchants and people. Let's combine our efforts to continue to develop Donnelly Park to its greatest potential.